Julian “The Hawk” Jackson solidified his standing as one of boxing’s most feared punchers on July 30, 1988, when he stopped former IBF champion Buster Drayton in the third round to retain his WBA junior middleweight title.
The scheduled 12-round championship bout lasted just 2:57 of the third. Jackson, 27, weighed 153 pounds, matching Drayton on the scales. Tony Perez served as referee.
Jackson entered the night determined to prove his title victory over In Chul Baek eight months earlier was no fluke. Drayton provided a stern first test. The Philadelphia veteran had built a reputation as one of the divisi
